What is Pre-Press in Printing?

and why should I understand what it does?

The step between receiving design files and actual printing is called pre-press. It is the “pre” stage of printing—hence the name.

Although designers are expected to prepare files to print-ready standards, this is often not the case. When files are supplied incorrectly, it places strain on the printer and can result in additional time and cost to correct file issues.

Printers typically require a final, complete PDF/X (print-ready PDF) file, as this format is one of the safest and most reliable to work with.

Pre-press is a vital phase that ensures digital design files are correctly brought into a production workflow and optimised for the press on which they will be printed. The pre-press operator checks all elements and flags any issues to the client before printing begins. This step is essential in ensuring the final printed product looks exactly as the client intended.

What’s Involved in Pre-Press?

Pre-flighting is the first step. This involves:

• Checking files and converting any RGB elements to CMYK
• Ensuring image resolution is high enough for print
• Checking fonts are embedded or supplied correctly
• Verifying bleed, trim, and safe areas
• Identifying anything that may cause problems during printing

The files are also checked against the in-house job ticket to ensure specifications such as size, page count, and finishing details all match.

​​Once the file is approved from a technical perspective, the pre-press operator prepares—or imposes—the job for the press it will run on. This means laying out pages correctly on the sheet, taking folding, trimming, and finishing into account.

After imposition, the press-ready file is sent to a proofer or digital printer to produce a hard-copy proof. This proof is folded or trimmed to resemble the final printed product.

The client is then supplied with either:

• A digital proof via email, or
• A physical hard-copy proof

This allows the client to confirm that nothing has changed or gone wrong during file conversion. This is a crucial step that requires the client to check all aspects to ensure the proof is as per the final product required.  Once checked and signed off to proceed to print, the Printer is no longer responsible for issues, so the importance of the client checking is critical.

Once client approval is received, the signed-off file is sent to print—or, in the case of litho printing, to plate-making before the job runs on press.

Why Should Designers Care About Pre-Press?

There’s an old saying: “Rubbish in, rubbish out.”
The better the file supplied to the printer, the fewer problems can arise.

If a designer:

• Uses high-resolution images
• Converts RGB to CMYK
• Sets correct bleed and trim
• Keeps important content away from edges and folds
• Ensures fonts are correct and black body text is not CMYK

then pre-press becomes a smooth, quick process. This makes signing off easy and avoids unnecessary delays.

​​Printers did not design the clients documents and cannot judge creative intent. They can only perform technical checks. If the supplied files are incorrect, the printer has no way of knowing what was intended—only what has been supplied. This is very important to note.

Good files mean good pre-press which then ensures deadlines are met, costs are controlled, and the final result meets expectations.

Summary

Designers provide final complete files that need to be brought into a specialized workflow and  imposed for printing. In pre-press all technical aspects are checked but not design intent or style. As Pre-press is the first step in the print production cycle, it is imperative for the client to check all is as intended before the actual printing commences. 

Your Next Print Project

At Remata Communications and Printers, we partner with a wide range of Ad Agencies, Print Brokers, and Leading Brands on print and packaging projects—no client is too big or too small.

It is clear why Remata is regarded as a trusted commercial printing and packaging partner—delivering reliability, quality, and scale across every project.

Call: 011 848 0000
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.remata.co.za

Our experienced and skilled team is ready to partner with your next print or packaging project.